5 ancient beauty remedies that still work today

The age old, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” has never been truer than in beauty. Rituals that were tried and tested centuries ago have flooded the market again and brands are implementing a more holistic approach to products and formulas. With just a few tweaks here and there, the core elements remain simple and sustainable.

We travel the world to find five old-school remedies that are still just as effective today as they were back then!

Turkey: essence of rose

Rose is a classic ingredient, the essence of which has been distilled into water for centuries. Turkey has long been one of the largest producers of rose, and the country’s use of purified rose water in beauty dates back to two thousand years ago.

Benefits:

packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants

moisturises the skin

anti-inflammatory properties

oil extract can refine texture

treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis

France: hand creams

A favourite of French Queen, Marie Antoinette, she is often referenced in relation to opulence and indulgences – beauty balms and moisturisers being on of them. She was said to apply product to her hands, then put on a pair of gloves to sleep in, allowing the potions to do its job.

Benefits:

hydrate and soothe the skin at a deeper level

certain creams may ease joint pain

Finland: heat treatments

The benefits of a room heated by coals was adopted in Finland as early as 1112. Fast forward to the present day and heat treatments – from saunas to salt caves and infra-red rooms – are still widely popular today.

Benefits:

regular saunas can stabilise the nervous system

reduce inflammation,

oxidative stress and arterial stiffness

India: turmeric

While the Western world has only seen a recent rise in the use of turmeric, in traditional Ayurvedic practices this bright yellow root has been used for thousands of years – infused in milk or added to food for its medicinal properties.

Benefits:

reduce the effects of oxidative and inflammatory conditions

reduce arthritis and even anxiety

Booster immunity

powerful antioxidant properties

China: acupuncture

This 2,000-year-old therapy uses needles of varying lengths to stimulate the nervous system and immune cells, which can in turn can impact our lymphatic, circulatory and digestive systems, and is said to improve emotional and cognitive wellbeing.